Optimization of performance, combustion and emission characteristics of acetylene aspirated diesel engine with oxygenated fuels: An Experimental approach

Owing to enormous increase in the automobile population, traditional petroleum fuels for internal combustion engines will be usable only for a few years. Moreover, by releasing toxic emissions into the atmosphere at higher levels these fuels create severe environmental problems. In general, Carbon-monoxide (CO), Unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC), and smoke are emissions emitted by engines. The pollution of the environment can be controlled by replacing petroleum fuel with the use of alternative fuels like acetylene gas, hydrogen, CNG, LPG etc. In this current research, an experimental investigation was carried out in Compression Ignition engine using acetylene fuel, further enhancing the performance and emission properties by using diethyl ether (DEE) and ethanol as oxygenated fuel. In view of the performance and outflow (emission) parameters optimizing valve of acetylene gas as 12 lpm with oxygenated fuels, the performance and outflow characteristics were improved. The findings show an enhancement in brake thermal-efficiency of up to 3 to 4%, a decrease in exhaust temperature and emissions like CO, UHC and smoke of up to 40%, 20%–30% and 10%–35% respectively, there is decrease in fuel consumption of 10%–30%. It was found that ethanol is better than diethyl ether and diesel fuels when used as an oxygenated fuel with acetylene gas. In view of the performance and emission parameters, the best oxygenated fuel is ethanol and the optimize blend for diesel engine is E15+A12.